The first backup camera for the aftermarket with a zoom feature has been introduced by GCH Automotive, it said.
The camera offers 35 percent zoom capability. It also zooms down at a 10 degree angle, allowing it to be used by tow vehicles to view the hitch or a bumper.
The zoom camera will be available in different configurations including a license plate mount and a tailgate handle mount for trucks. It comes with a button that mounts in the car cabin to activate the zoom feature.
GCH Automotive’s Greg Delagdo said that Ford and Volvo offer the feature in new cars, but it can cost $600, while the aftermarket version will range from $149 to $399 suggested retail price.
Delgado believes these and other new advanced cameras will help retailers offer consumers a step up alternative to the factory camera. This will become more important by 2018, when all new cars are mandated to offer a standard backup camera. “It’s a way to keep retailers engaged in the new car market, despite new legislation,” he said.
Also new from GCH is a 7.3-inch super wide mirror where the full mirror is an LCD panel. It can work with a new 180 degree “auto correcting” backup camera that has a built-in video processor that “flattens out” the image to lessen the “fish eye” effect produced by most backup cameras. It gives a full view of the rear of the car.
The super wide mirror also has a picture-in-picture feature.
The products ship this week at suggested retail prices of $399 for the mirror and $199 for the camera.
For more information email [email protected]
Greg-That’s sounds good. I need more info as I just had a customer call me this morning asking for a total mirror monitor and I didn’t know where to get it. Linda
whats gch website, couldnt find it?
GCH Automotive does not have a web site. The contact is Greg Delgado [email protected]
Umm, the rearview mirror has always had a “live view” while in motion for almost 100 years now. Every driver usually learns to deal with that, when learning to drive. Why would an electronic image of the rear view be any different?
Many vehicles have bad blind spots off to the sides. Wide angle cameras greatly help that, but then end up looking fish eye’d on a small 3.5 or 4″ standard mirror monitor. Really glad Amy posted this, because I’ve been looking for a larger mirror to make our 190 degree camera installs look better. I think this will be VERY sell able to anyone that displays it with other standard versions.
I hope not while in motion, with the number of distractions we already have on the road I don’t see the need for more accidents. But for towing purposes, I always offer a camera dedicated for that.